Why Demolish a Home

Most homeowners consider their houses to be sources of pride and joy, but some find their homes to be sources of stress and frustration. In these cases, instead of working with what already exists, many choose to demolish the dwelling and rebuild from scratch. Wrecklamation host Jodi Murphy, a Chicago-based demolition auctioneer, says that there are three main reasons property owners demolish their homes.

Reason #1 - The property is a safety hazard. Many older homes are not up to modern building codes, and can be deemed uninhabitable until extensive and expensive renovations and upgrades are made. "Sometimes it's just cost-effective to start fresh with a brand-new building instead of trying to freshen up an older home," says Jodi. "It's a decision that every property owner must make for herself."

Reason #2 - To save (or make) money. Though the initial investment required to demolish a home is costly, the economics of the newly-built house can make up for the expense in no time. "Old, drafty, huge homes in colder climates can cost homeowners up to a million dollars a year in maintenance, property taxes, and utilities," Jodi says. Also, new construction on a desirable lot can be sold for profit, especially if the new house is eco-friendly. "Green" homes cost about the same to build and are usually valued about 25% more than similar homes in the neighborhood, due to their popularity and lower utility bills.

Reason #3 - To make better use of the space. "Sometimes, a house is situated right in the middle of two lots," says Jodi. "Tearing down one older house makes room for two more, a real plus in overcrowded markets." Some owners want to enhance their property by adding pools, tennis courts, gardens, and other extras that the current layout has no space for. Jodi has observed that many people, if they can afford it, have no problem tearing down perfectly livable, modern homes to get exactly what they want. "One couple whose house I auctioned off demolished a gorgeous lakeside mansion just because they weren't satisfied with the views it offered," Jodi says.

Frequently, homes scheduled for demolition weren't always unwanted. Often they were loved and cared for by the previous owner just months before. "Sadly, sometimes sellers spend thousands of dollars sprucing up the inside of a house to attract potential buyers, only to have their hard work demolished days after closing. Were it not for demolition auctions, many brand-new appliances and materials would go straight to the dump; what a waste that would be!"